ONE Fight Night 38 Results: Aliff Bags World Title Shot, Phetjeeja And Giles Get Highlight-Reel Finishes
The world’s largest martial arts organization delivered another thrilling slate of action in its final U.S. primetime event of the year, ONE Fight Night 38: Andrade vs. Baatarkhuu on Prime Video, which ignited Bangkok’s legendary Lumpinee Stadium on Friday, December 5.
New World Title challengers emerged in the first five MMA, Muay Thai, and submission grappling bouts of the evening, and a legend bid farewell to the fans and announced his retirement.
Before everyone’s attention shifts to the World Title battles, here’s what went down on the ONE Fight Night 38 undercard.
Aliff Rips Through Ondash, Gets World Title Shot
In a clash that determined the next challenger for Prajanchai PK Saenchai‘s ONE Strawweight Muay Thai World Title, Aliff Sor Dechapan tore through Ramadan Ondash en route to a unanimous decision victory.
The opening round saw Aliff throw right kicks that Ondash repeatedly caught, attempting to counter with his fight-ending left hook. The action exploded in the final minute of the frame, as the Lebanese striker tried to bury Aliff in the corner with punches.
But round two belonged entirely to the 21-year-old Thai-Malaysian sensation. Aliff swung whistling left kicks into Ondash’s ribs, systematically breaking down his opponent’s body. A visibly frustrated Ondash looked at his corner as if to ask what to do, unable to land any significant punches as he lost control of the contest.
The decisive moment came in the third stanza when Ondash attempted a left hook. Aliff jumped into a perfectly timed left knee that caught the Lebanese rising star on the chin and sent him down for an eight-count. The teen returned to his feet in a hurry and tried his best to close the distance and fire a knockout blow, but it wasn’t meant to be.
With that, the judges awarded Aliff the unanimous decision. The victory improved his record to 62-9, extended his winning streak to five straight, and secured him the next crack at Prajanchai’s gold.
Phetjeeja Knocks Out Dominczak In Muay Thai Return
ONE Women’s Atomweight Muay Thai World Champion Allycia Hellen Rodrigues won’t have to wait long for her next challenger, as the division’s kickboxing queen, Phetjeeja Lukjaoporongtom, made a resounding statement by stopping former WMC World Champion Martyna Dominczak via first-round TKO to secure her shot at two-sport gold.
After a brief feeling-out process, the 23-year-old Thai star absorbed one of Dominczak’s face teeps before unleashing absolute destruction.
Fighting inside the pocket, Phetjeeja floored the Polish striker with a right hand. Dominczak beat the eight-count, but she backed herself into the corner and threw a front kick. The reigning ONE Women’s Atomweight Kickboxing World Champion caught it and countered with a sharp left hook to the body, dropping her rival for a second eight-count.
The end came just moments later when Phetjeeja fired a right punch-right high kick combination that sent Dominczak crashing to the canvas for the third and final time. The referee immediately waved off the contest at 2:46 of the opening round.
This TKO victory improved Phetjeeja’s career record to 210-6 and marked a triumphant return to Muay Thai for the Team Mehdi Zatout product.
Giles Finishes BJJ GOAT Garcia In Generational Clash
In a lightweight submission grappling dream match bridging generations and competing philosophies, Australian pioneer Lachlan Giles stunned BJJ icon Marcelo Garcia with a kneebar submission at 7:03 of the single 10-minute round.
Garcia, widely considered the greatest BJJ competitor of all time, attempted to secure mount position early. But the 39-year-old Giles deployed his infamous K-guard to defend the advance.
From that defensive position, the Melbourne native grabbed Garcia’s leg and locked in a leg attack. Though the nine-time BJJ World Champion freed himself initially, the “Giant Killer” remained relentless.
The Australian grabbed Garcia’s leg once more, rotated his hips over with precision, and transitioned seamlessly to a kneebar.
That submission forced the tap, handing Garcia his first loss since 2009 and marking a victorious end to Giles’ competitive career, as he announced his retirement following the bout.
Kovtun Outclasses Suzuki, Bounces Back Into Win Column
In a battle of bantamweight Muay Thai veterans looking to regain momentum, Dmitrii Kovtun systematically dismantled Shinji Suzuki en route to a unanimous decision victory.
Both fighters exchanged kicks in the opening stanza, but Kovtun established control with his straight left punch followed by crisp left elbows. The Russian-Tajik southpaw, who trains out of RSU Gym and Sitsongpeenong Muay Thai Camp, carried his assault in round two.
Though an accidental eye poke briefly halted the contest, Kovtun resumed pummeling Suzuki with punches once the action continued. The Japanese veteran attempted to counter with low kicks, but he struggled to slow the onslaught.
In the final frame, Kovtun displayed crafty footwork to avoid damage while continuing to rack up points with elbows. Suzuki showed visible signs of wear as his rival cruised to the scorecards.
The 28-year-old Kovtun secured the 14th win of his career and bounced back from his September loss to Rambolek Chor Ajalaboon with a dominant showing.
Kholmirzaev Survives Early Scare, Stops Miado
In a pivotal flyweight MMA clash, Uzbek phenom Avazbek “Ninzya” Kholmirzaev weathered an early storm to stop Filipino striker Jeremy “The Jaguar” Miado via second-round TKO.
Miado opened aggressively in round one, dropping the 25-year-old sambo specialist with a wild overhand right. But Kholmirzaev survived the onslaught, scrambled back into the fight, and scored a takedown. From side control, he landed a plethora of knees on his grounded adversary to seize control.
The second round saw Miado briefly reclaim momentum with a takedown, and then he nearly sunk in an ankle lock, but Kholmirzaev escaped. When “The Jaguar” threatened with a D’Arce choke, the Uzbek scrambled free again and transitioned back to side control. From there, he unleashed a devastating barrage of ground-and-pound that forced the referee to stop the contest at 4:53.
The victory improved Kholmirzaev’s record to 15-2 and extended his winning streak to six.
